Fixed Window Assembly For A Vehicle And Method Of Manufacturing Same

ABSTRACT

The subject invention includes a fixed window assembly for a vehicle comprising a fixed glass, a trim portion having a polymeric base and a decorative member bonded to the polymeric base. An encapsulation is coupled to the fixed glass and the polymeric base to mount the trim portion in a spaced and adjacent position relative to the fixed glass. A method of manufacturing is also provided using first and second molding apparatuses. Polymeric material is injected into a first mold cavity of the first molding apparatus to form the polymeric base bonded to the decorative member. Polymeric material is injected into a second mold cavity of the second molding apparatus to form the encapsulation coupled to the fixed glass and simultaneously coupled to the polymeric base to mount the trim portion in an adjacent position to the fixed glass.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The subject patent application is a continuation-in-part of co-pendingInternational application No. PCT/US2016/038373, filed on Jun. 20, 2016,which claims priority to and all of the benefits of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 62/181,844, filed on Jun. 19, 2015, thedisclosure(s) of which is/are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND 1. Field of the Invention

The subject invention relates to a fixed window assembly for a vehicleand method of manufacturing the same.

2. Description of Related Art

Decorative trim is becoming increasingly popular for consumer vehicles,especially decorative trim having metallic, colored, or otherwisedesigned appearances. Decorative trim allows vehicle manufacturers todesign vehicles having, for example, chrome-like trim and contributes anaccented finish to visual design of the vehicles while providing sealingproperties for windows of the vehicles. Applying sheets of thin metal totrim is expensive in terms of both material costs for sheets of thinmetal and processing costs for bonding the metal to sealing elements ofthe trim. Conventional methods of applying decorative films to sealingelements of trim can also be cost inefficient, as the sealing elementsare manufactured separately, and then the decorative film is appliedseparately. Thus, conventional techniques are inefficient in terms ofboth time and money.

SUMMARY

The subject invention includes a fixed window assembly for a vehiclecomprising a fixed glass having a periphery. A trim portion is spacedfrom and adjacent to the fixed glass with the trim portion comprising apolymeric base formed of a polymeric material having an exterior surfaceand an interior surface, and a decorative member with a portion of thedecorative member bonded to the exterior surface of the polymeric base.The assembly also including an encapsulation formed of a polymericmaterial with the encapsulation coupled to the periphery of the fixedglass and coupled to the interior surface of the polymeric base to mountthe trim portion in the spaced and adjacent position relative to thefixed glass.

The subject invention also includes a method of manufacturing a fixedwindow assembly for a vehicle with the assembly having a fixed glass, anencapsulation and a trim portion, and the trim portion having apolymeric base and a decorative member. The method comprising the stepsof mounting the decorative member in a first half of a first moldingapparatus; moving a second half of the first molding apparatus intocontact with the first half of the first molding apparatus to form afirst mold cavity with the decorative member partially disposed withinthe first mold cavity; injecting a polymeric material into the firstmold cavity to form the polymeric base within the first mold cavity withthe polymeric base bonding to a portion of the decorative member to formthe trim portion; removing the trim portion from the first moldingapparatus; mounting the fixed glass in a first half of a second moldingapparatus; positioning the trim portion in the first half of the secondmolding apparatus adjacent the fixed glass with the decorative member ofthe trim portion abutting the first half of the second molding apparatussuch that the polymeric base faces outwardly from the first half of thesecond molding apparatus; moving a second half of the second moldingapparatus into contact with the first half of the second moldingapparatus to form a second mold cavity with the fixed glass and thepolymeric base facing the second mold cavity; and injecting a polymericmaterial into the second mold cavity to form the encapsulation with theencapsulation coupled to a periphery of the fixed glass andsimultaneously coupled to the polymeric base to mount the trim portionin the adjacent position to the fixed glass.

The assembly and method advantageously provide a time- andcost-effective fixed window assembly and a time- and cost-effectivemethod of manufacturing the fixed window assembly. The decorative memberis inexpensively applied to the fixed window assembly through a uniqueconfiguration and manufacturing technique.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated, as thesame becomes better understood by reference to the following detaileddescription, when considered in connection with the accompanyingdrawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fixed window assembly in accordancewith the subject invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an encapsulation with a fixed glass.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmented view of a bottom edge of the fixedwindow assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a first molding apparatus.

FIG. 8A is a perspective view of the first molding apparatus with adecorative member mounted thereto.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a trim portion.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged fragmented view of the trim portion of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the trim portion.

FIG. 12 is another perspective view of the trim portion.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along line 13-13 of FIG. 11.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a second molding apparatus.

FIG. 15 is a schematic view of the manufacturing process.

FIG. 16 is an enlarged fragmented view taken along line 16 of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate like orcorresponding parts throughout several views, aspects of a fixed windowassembly 20 for a vehicle and method of manufacturing the same areprovided. In particular, FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the fixedwindow assembly 20 for the vehicle. As known to those skilled in theindustry, fixed window assemblies can be mounted in various locations ofthe vehicle, including adjacent the A-pillar or C-pillar of the vehicle.The fixed windows can also be carried on a door of the vehicle. Otherfixed windows include the rear window and accent windows of a vehicle.In the embodiment illustrated, the fixed window assembly 20 is a fixedside window mounted to a vehicle chassis that is unable to be raised,lowered, or otherwise moved, relative the vehicle. In some embodiments,the fixed window assembly 20 has a substantially trapezoidal or overalltriangular configuration. In other embodiments, the fixed windowassembly 20 can have a substantially rectangular configuration, or canbe of any suitable shape.

As shown in FIGS. 1-7 and 14-15, the fixed window assembly 20 includes afixed glass 22 having a periphery 24, with the periphery 24 defining abottom edge 26 having opposing ends. As shown, the bottom edge 26 of thefixed glass 22 is curved between the ends to accommodate a desireddesign configuration of the vehicle. As also shown, the fixed glass 22has a trapezoidal configuration to likewise accommodate a desireddesign. It is to be appreciated that the fixed glass 22 may be of anysuitable configuration, any suitable material and may include tinting orother cosmetic features as known to those skilled in the art.

As best shown in FIGS. 1, 5-7, 9-13 and 15-16 the fixed window assembly20 also includes a trim portion 28. Once mounted, as discussed ingreater detail below, the trim portion 28, or trim strip, is spacedfrom, yet adjacent to the fixed glass 22. The trim portion 28 or stripextends along a desired periphery 24 of the fixed window. As shown, thetrim portion 28 extends along the bottom edge 26 of the fixed window toprovide a desired appearance along the bottom edge 26 of the fixedwindow. The trim portion 28 or trim strip comprises a polymeric base 30and a decorative member 32, which define a molded trim as discussed ingreater detail below.

The polymeric base 30 is formed of a polymeric material having anexterior surface 34 and an interior surface 36. Preferably, thepolymeric base 30 is formed of a thermoplastic polymer to form a rigidpolymeric base 30. Even more preferably, the polymeric base 30 is formedof a polypropylene to form the rigid polymeric base 30. The polymericbase 30 may also be a thermosetting polymer. It is to be appreciatedthat the polymeric base 30 may be formed of any suitable polymeric, orplastic-like, material.

As best shown in FIGS. 1, 9, 11-12 and 15-16, the polymeric base 30further includes a terminal end 38 extending between the exterior 34 andinterior 36 surfaces. As shown, at least the exterior surface 34 of thepolymeric base 30 has an arcuate configuration. Preferably, the exterior34 and interior 32 surfaces of the polymeric base 30 have arcuateconfigurations such that the polymeric base 30 is substantially uniformin thickness. As also shown, the trim portion 28 is formed in a curvecomplementary in configuration to the curve of the bottom edge 26. It isto be appreciated that the arcuate and/or curved configurations and/orconfigurations of the interior 36 and exterior 34 surfaces can changealong the length of the polymeric base 30 to create a desiredappearance. It is also to be appreciated that the polymeric base 30 mayhave any suitable configuration.

The decorative member 32, as shown in FIGS. 1, 5-7, 8A-13 and 16 isirremovably bonded to the polymeric base 30. Specifically, a portion ofthe decorative member 32 is bonded to the exterior surface 34 of thepolymeric base 30. Preferably, the decorative member 32 is formed of afilm having a bonding portion 40 with the exterior surface 34 of thepolymeric base 30 bonded to the bonding portion 40. In the mostpreferred embodiment, the film is a thin, flexible sheet, or foil, ofone or more materials that has a desirable appearance and is capable ofadhesion or fusion bonding with a polymer. The decorative member 32 canbe of an at least partially metallic material, an at least partiallyvinyl material or any other suitable material. Further, the decorativemember 32 can have a chrome-like appearance, a wood-like appearance, acolored appearance, or be of any other suitable appearance. In otherwords, the decorative member 32 can be any material suitable for bondingto the polymeric base 30 with any desirable appearance. One example isknown in the industry as a chrome foil. As mentioned above, thepolymeric base 30 can have a curved configuration. As such, once bonded,the film would also have a curved configuration.

Turning to FIGS. 1-7 and 15-16, an encapsulation 42, which is formed ofa polymeric material, is coupled to the periphery 24 of the fixed glass22. FIGS. 2-4 show the encapsulation 42 without the trim portion 28. Itis to be appreciated that FIGS. 2-4 are provided for illustrativepurposes to clearly identify mounting locations on the encapsulation 42for the trim portion 28. As discussed in greater detail below, theencapsulation 42 is injected into a mold to mount the trim portion 28 tothe fixed glass 22. As such, the configuration of the encapsulation 42shown in FIGS. 2-4 would not actually occur in the manufacturingtechnique of the subject invention.

FIGS. 1, 5-7 and 15-16 illustrate the encapsulation 42 and the trimportion 28 with the encapsulation 42 coupled to the interior surface 36of the polymeric base 30 to mount the trim portion 28 in the spaced andadjacent position relative to the fixed glass 22. Preferably, theencapsulation 42 is coupled to the periphery 24 of the fixed glass 22and is simultaneously coupled to the polymeric base 30, through anovermolding process, to mount the trim portion 28 in the adjacentposition to the fixed glass 22. The coupling/overmolding of theencapsulation 42 to the fixed glass 22 is best shown in FIGS. 3-4 and6-7, and is known to those skilled in the art. The coupling/overmoldingof the encapsulation 42 to the trim portion 28 is also shown best inFIGS. 3-4 (shows mounting locations without trim portion) and FIGS. 6-7(shows overmolding of the trim portion). With specific reference toFIGS. 6-7, the encapsulation 42 is not only coupled to the interiorsurface of the polymeric base 30, but also encapsulates the sides of thepolymeric base 30 and a portion of the exterior surface 34 of thepolymeric base 30 to overmold and secure the trim portion 28 to thefixed glass 22. The coupling/overmolding creates a mechanical bondbetween the polymeric base 30 and the encapsulation 42, which can be inaddition to any chemical bonding. The decorative member 32 can betrimmed in such a manner as to accommodate a desired mechanicalbond/overmold between the polymeric base 30 and encapsulation 42. It isto be appreciated that the configuration of the encapsulation 42 andpolymeric base 30 can vary to accommodate alternative mechanicalconnections.

As best shown in FIGS. 6-7, a portion of the encapsulation 42 isdisposed between the fixed glass 22 and the trim portion 28 tointerconnect the fixed glass 22 and the trim portion 28. In theembodiment shown, the trim portion 28 is specifically mounted adjacentthe bottom edge 26 by this portion of the encapsulation 42. Theencapsulation 42 may be of any suitable thickness or configuration.

The encapsulation 42 is formed of a thermoplastic polymer to form arigid polymeric encapsulation 42. Preferably, the encapsulation 42 isformed of a thermoplastic vulcanizate to form a rigid polymericencapsulation 42. It is to be appreciated that the encapsulation 42 maybe formed of any suitable polymeric, plastic-like, material.

As mentioned above, the polymeric base 30 includes a terminal end 38extending between the exterior 34 and interior 36 surfaces. As bestshown in FIGS. 1 and 16, the encapsulation 42 is simultaneously coupledto the interior surface 36 of the polymeric base 30, the terminal end 38of the polymeric base 30 and the periphery 24 of the fixed glass 22. Theportion of the encapsulation 42 about the terminal end 38 creates an endcap 44 formed on the terminal end 38 of the polymeric base 30. The endcap 44 provides the end of the polymeric base 30 with a finishedappearance, such that the trim portion 28 has a desirable appearancewhen the end of the trim portion 28 is exposed, such as when a vehicledoor is opened.

The method of manufacturing the fixed window assembly 20 for the vehiclewith the fixed glass 22, encapsulation 42 and trim portion 28 will nowbe discussed in greater detail. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 14, and asdetailed below, the manufacturing technique of the subject inventionutilizes two molding apparatuses.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 8A, the decorative member 32 is placed ormounted in a first half 48 of a first molding apparatus 46. The firstmolding apparatus 46 can be an injection molding machine of any suitabletype. The first half 48 of the first molding apparatus 46 includes aplurality of pins 50. The step of mounting the decorative member 32 inthe first half 48 of the first molding apparatus 46 includes the step ofmounting the decorative member 32 about the pins 50. As mentioned above,the decorative member 32 can be formed of a film or other thin, flexiblematerial. As such, the film is secured to the first molding apparatus 46by puncturing the thin material through the plurality of pins 50.Preferably, the decorative member 32 has both the bonding portion 40 andexcess portions 52. The step of mounting the decorative member 32 in thefirst half 48 of the first molding apparatus 46 includes the step ofmounting the excess portions 52 of the decorative member 32 to the pins50. Specifically, the excess portions 52 are pressed over the pins 50 toadequately hold the decorative member 32 in place.

A second half 54 of the first molding apparatus 46 includes a pluralityof apertures 56, which are preferably aligned with the pins 50. As such,the method of manufacturing includes the step of inserting the pins 50within the apertures 56 when the second half 54 of the first moldingapparatus 46 contacts the first half 48 of the first molding apparatus46. As shown in FIG. 10, pin holes 58 can be pre-formed in thedecorative member 32 prior to locating the decorative member 32 aboutthe pins 50. The pin and aperture arrangement properly secures thedecorative member 32 within the first molding apparatus 46.

The second half 54 of the first molding apparatus 46 moves into contactwith the first half 48 of the first molding apparatus 46 to form a firstmold cavity 60 with the decorative member 32 partially disposed withinthe first mold cavity 60. In particular, the bonding portion 40 of thedecorative member 32 is disposed within the first mold cavity 60 withthe excess portions 52 remaining outside of the first mold cavity 60. Asappreciated by those skilled in the art, the first mold cavity 60 canhave any suitable configuration based on the desired shape of thepolymeric base 30.

A polymeric material is injected into the first mold cavity 60 to formthe polymeric base 30 within the first mold cavity 60 with the polymericbase 30 bonding to a portion of the decorative member 32 to form thetrim portion 28. In other words, the polymeric material is formed on andbonded with the decorative member 32 by injecting a polymer into thefirst mold cavity 60 with the polymer bonding to the bonding portion 40of the decorative member 32. Preferably, a thermoplastic polymer isinjected into the first mold cavity 60 to form a rigid polymeric base 30bonded to a portion of the decorative member 32. Even more preferably, apolypropylene is injected into the first mold cavity 60 to form a rigidpolymeric base 30 bonded to a portion of the decorative member 32. Asmentioned above, the polymeric base 30 may have an arcuateconfiguration. As such, the step of injecting a polymeric material intothe first mold cavity 60 to form the polymeric base 30 can be furtherdefined as injecting a polymeric material into the first mold cavity 60having an arcuate configuration to form an arcuate polymeric base 30having an exterior surface 34 bonded to a portion of the decorativemember 32 and an interior surface 36 suitable for coupling to theencapsulation 42 in a subsequent step. Further, the step of injecting apolymeric material into the first mold cavity 60 to form the polymericbase 30 can be further defined as injecting a polymeric material intothe first mold cavity 60 to form the polymeric base 30 having anexterior surface 34, an opposing interior surface 36 and a terminal end38 extending between the surfaces

As shown in FIG. 9, the trim portion 28 is then removed from the firstmolding apparatus 46 once suitably cured as known to those skilled inthe art. The excess portions 52 of the decorative member 32 are trimmedafter being removed and before the step of positioning the trim portion28 in a second molding apparatus 62 as discussed below. The excessportions 52 can be removed by any suitable method, such as cutting orshearing.

Turning to FIG. 14, the fixed glass 22 is separately mounted in a firsthalf 64 of the second molding apparatus 62. The trim portion 28 is alsopositioned in the first half 64 of the second molding apparatus 62adjacent the fixed glass 22. The decorative member 32 of the trimportion 28 abuts the first half 64 of the second molding apparatus 62such that the polymeric base 30 faces outwardly from the first half 64of the second molding apparatus 62. In other words, the trim portion 28is installed in the second molding apparatus 62 with the exteriorsurface 34 facing the first half 64 of the second molding apparatus 62.

A second half 66 of the second molding apparatus 62 moves into contactwith the first half 64 of the second molding apparatus 62 to form asecond mold cavity 68 with the fixed glass 22 and the polymeric base 30facing the second mold cavity 68. Specifically, the interior surface 36of the polymeric base 38 faces the second mold cavity 68.

A polymeric material is injected into the second mold cavity 68 to formthe encapsulation 42. As mentioned above, the encapsulation 42 iscoupled to the periphery 24 of the fixed glass 22 and is simultaneouslycoupled to the polymeric base 30 to mount the trim portion 28 in theadjacent position to the fixed glass 22. Preferably, the step ofinjecting a polymeric material into the second mold cavity 68 to formthe encapsulation 42 is further defined as injecting a thermoplasticpolymer into the second mold cavity 68 to form a rigid polymericencapsulation 42 simultaneously coupled to the periphery 24 of the fixedglass 22 and the rigid polymeric base 30. Even more preferably, the stepof injecting a polymeric material into the second mold cavity 68 to formthe encapsulation 42 is further defined as injecting a copolymer, suchas thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV), into the second mold cavity 68 toform a rigid polymeric encapsulation 42 simultaneously coupled to theperiphery 24 of the fixed glass 22 and the rigid polymeric base 30.Further, the step of injecting a polymeric material into the second moldcavity 68 to form the encapsulation 42 can be further defined asinjecting a polymeric material into the second mold cavity 68 to formthe encapsulation 42 simultaneously coupled to the interior surface 36of polymeric base 30, the terminal end 38 of the polymeric base 30 andthe periphery 24 of the fixed glass 22.

The relative position of the trim portion 28 and fixed glass 22 can varybased on the application and the desired design, but is preferablypositioned such that the encapsulation 42 is disposed between the fixedglass 22 and the trim portion 28 to interconnect the fixed glass 22 andtrim portion 28. As best shown in FIGS. 6-7, the encapsulation 42maintains a relative spacing between the fixed glass 22 and the trimportion 28.

The present invention has been described herein in an illustrativemanner. It is to be understood that the terminology which has been usedis intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than oflimitation. Obviously, many modifications and variations of theinvention are possible in light of the above teachings. The inventionmay be practiced otherwise than as specifically described within thescope of the appended claims.

1.-10. (canceled)
 11. A fixed window assembly for a vehicle comprising:a fixed transparent substrate having a first surface, an edge surface,and a second surface facing opposite said first surface, saidtransparent substrate also having a periphery; a trim portion spacedfrom and adjacent to said fixed transparent substrate with said trimportion comprising, a rigid polymeric base comprising thermoplastic andhaving an exterior bonding surface and an interior bonding surface, anda decorative member comprising a film and having a bonding portionmoldably bonded to an entirety of said exterior bonding surface of saidrigid polymeric base; and an encapsulation formed of a polymericmaterial with said encapsulation: moldably bonded to said periphery ofsaid fixed transparent substrate such that said polymeric material isbonded to at least one of a portion of said first surface, a portion ofsaid edge surface, and a portion of said second surface; and moldablybonded to said interior bonding surface of said rigid polymeric base byforming a depression in said encapsulation with said rigid polymericbase disposed in and bonded to said depression to mount said trimportion in said spaced and adjacent position relative to said fixedtransparent substrate.
 12. The fixed window assembly as set forth inclaim 11 wherein a portion of said encapsulation is disposed betweensaid fixed transparent substrate and said trim portion to interconnectsaid fixed transparent substrate and said trim portion.
 13. The fixedwindow assembly as set forth in claim 12 wherein said fixed transparentsubstrate has a bottom edge and said trim portion is mounted adjacentsaid bottom edge by a portion of said encapsulation.
 14. The fixedwindow assembly as set forth in claim 13 wherein said bottom edge hasopposing ends and is curved between said ends with said trim portionformed in a curve complementary in configuration to said curve of saidbottom edge.
 15. The fixed window assembly as set forth in claim 11wherein said encapsulation is formed of a thermoplastic polymer to forma rigid polymeric encapsulation.
 16. The fixed window assembly as setforth in claim 11 wherein said rigid polymeric base is formed frompolypropylene, and wherein said encapsulation is formed of athermoplastic vulcanizate to form a rigid polymeric encapsulation. 17.(canceled)
 18. The fixed window assembly as set forth in claim 11wherein said exterior bonding surface of said polymeric base has anarcuate configuration.
 19. The fixed window assembly as set forth inclaim 11 wherein said exterior and interior bonding surfaces of saidrigid polymeric base have arcuate configurations such that said rigidpolymeric base is substantially uniform in thickness.
 20. The fixedwindow assembly as set forth in claim 11 wherein said rigid polymericbase further includes a terminal end extending between said exterior andinterior bonding surfaces with said encapsulation simultaneouslymoldably bonded to said interior bonding surface of said rigid polymericbase, said terminal end of said rigid polymeric base and said peripheryof said fixed transparent substrate.
 21. The fixed window assembly asset forth in claim 11 wherein said polymeric base has at least one sidedisposed between said exterior and interior bonding surfaces and whereinsaid encapsulation encapsulates said sides of said polymeric base toovermold and secure said trim portion to said fixed transparentsubstrate.
 22. The fixed window assembly as set forth in claim 11wherein said encapsulation is bonded to at least one of a portion of anexterior surface of said polymeric base and said decorative member toovermold and secure said trim portion to said fixed transparentsubstrate.
 23. A fixed assembly for a vehicle comprising: a fixedsubstrate having a first surface, an edge surface, and a second surfacefacing opposite said first surface, said substrate also having aperiphery; a trim portion spaced from and adjacent to said fixedsubstrate with said trim portion comprising, a rigid polymeric basecomprising thermoplastic having an exterior bonding surface and aninterior bonding surface, and a decorative member comprising a film andhaving a bonding portion moldably bonded to an entirety of said exteriorbonding surface of said rigid polymeric base; and an encapsulationformed of a polymeric material with said encapsulation: moldably bondedto said periphery of said fixed substrate such that said polymericmaterial is bonded to at least one of a portion of said first surface, aportion of said edge surface, and a portion of said second surface; andmoldably bonded to said interior bonding surface of said rigid polymericbase by forming a depression in said encapsulation with said rigidpolymeric base disposed in and bonded to said depression to mount saidtrim portion in said spaced and adjacent position relative to said fixedsubstrate.
 24. The fixed assembly as set forth in claim 23 wherein aportion of said encapsulation is disposed between said fixed substrateand said trim portion to interconnect said fixed substrate and said trimportion.
 25. The fixed assembly as set forth in claim 23 wherein saidencapsulation is formed of a thermoplastic polymer to form a rigidpolymeric encapsulation.
 26. The fixed assembly as set forth in claim 23wherein said rigid polymeric base is formed from polypropylene, andwherein said encapsulation is formed of a thermoplastic vulcanizate toform a rigid polymeric encapsulation.
 27. The fixed assembly as setforth in claim 23 wherein said rigid polymeric base further includes aterminal end extending between said exterior and interior bondingsurfaces with said encapsulation simultaneously moldably bonded to saidinterior bonding surface of said rigid polymeric base, said terminal endof said rigid polymeric base and said periphery of said fixed substrate.28. The fixed assembly as set forth in claim 23 wherein said polymericbase has at least one side disposed between said exterior and interiorbonding surfaces and wherein said encapsulation encapsulates said sidesof said polymeric base to overmold and secure said trim portion to saidfixed substrate.
 29. The fixed assembly as set forth in claim 23 whereinsaid encapsulation is bonded to at least one of a portion of an exteriorsurface of said polymeric base and said decorative member to overmoldand secure said trim portion to said fixed substrate.